Written in a coffee shop in Woodbridge, Suffolk, on a rainy summer's day and dispatched to silicon.com via a free wi-fi service.

Education and employment have always changed with technology but there now seems to be a growing disjoint between the two.

There is an old and somewhat cruel joke that seems increasingly applicable. It comes in various guises along the following lines:

A science graduate asks, "Why does it work?" An engineering graduate asks, "How does it work?" An accounting graduate asks, "How much will it cost?" While a liberal arts graduate asks, "Do you want fries with that?"

How did this circumstance come about? It reflects, in part, the proportion of unemployed students 12 months, or more, after graduation. And because much of the West is now creating more degree-qualified people than ever, the problem seems to be getting worse.

Unfortunately, large numbers appear to be unable to find employment in the field of their choice, while vacancies in science, engineering and technology go unfilled due to the lack of suitable candidates. What a travesty.